parish

noun

par·​ish ˈper-ish 

ˈpa-rish

1

a(1)

: the ecclesiastical unit of area committed to one pastor

(2)

: the residents of such an area

b

British : a subdivision of a county often coinciding with an original ecclesiastical parish and constituting the unit of local government

2

: a local church community composed of the members or constituents of a Protestant church

3

: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states

Examples of parish in a Sentence

The parish will be getting a new priest soon.

The parish has grown significantly in the last three years.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the Girl Scouts have partnered for years with religious groups, including Catholic parishes, and the organization allows troops latitude in determining whether their activities, badges and rules are religious in nature. —Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2024

More:Milwaukee Catholic parishes are at a reckoning point. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 20 Oct. 2024

Verite News and ProPublica identified 203 17-year-olds who were arrested in Orleans, Jefferson and East Baton Rouge parishes between April and September. —ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2024

Most of the articles on the Wisconsin site are simply lists of Mass intentions — names of the people for whom each Mass is offered — for various Wisconsin parishes for a week in July. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parisshe, from Anglo-French paroche, parosse, from Late Latin parochia, from Late Greek paroikia, from paroikos Christian, from Greek, stranger, from para- + oikos house — more at vicinity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing parish

• inter-parish
• parish-pump

Kids Definition

parish

noun

par·​ish ˈpar-ish 

1

a

: a section of a church district in the care of a priest or minister

b

: the persons who live in and attend the church of such a section

2

: the members of a church

3

: a division of the state of Louisiana that is similar to a county in other states

Legal Definition

parish

noun

par·​ish ˈpar-ish 

: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states